Women cops in Odisha seek ‘gender-friendly’ uniform

BHUBANESWAR: Women police personnel in the state on Friday demanded a new dress code for them. The female cops, who attended a conference on women in police in Cuttack, said the existing khaki trousers and shirts are gender insensitive.
In the conference, some women police personnel proposed introduction of salwar-kameez with a different colour. Some others proposed stretchable trousers and jerseys. “I am 42 and not at all comfortable with the khaki trousers and shirt on field. We face more discomfort and inconvenience during menstruation days. The existing uniform is comfortable for men only. Some cities have salwar-kameez uniform for female police personnel,” said a woman inspector.
DGP Abhay, who attended the conferences valedictory session, said the proposal of woman-friendly uniform will be examined. “We received a number of recommendations, including change of uniform for women police personnel, from the participants. The female personnel want modification in the design and colour of the existing uniform for their physical and biological comfort. We are committed to improve the service conditions and working environment of the women police personnel,” Abhay said.
The top cop said efforts are being made to recruit more women in Odisha police. Of the actual strength of 59,387 police personnel in Odisha, 5,730 are uniformed female police personnel, constituting 9.65 % of the total force. The state government has a 33 % reservation for women in recruitment in Odisha police.
“We are planning to recruit more than 50% women officers in police stations. Currently, there are around 122 women officers, who head police stations in the state. This is the highest in the country,” Abhay said.
Participants in the conference also deliberated on barriers they face in career advancement, sexual harassment at workplace, issues of women sportspersons in police and lack of infrastructure for women employees in police stations.